Many goalkeepers have to be talked into playing the position or get moved into the net after years of playing in the field.

But it’s always been the perfect spot for Sandburg senior Connor Baker.

“I’ve been playing goalie since I was 7 years old,” Baker said. “I’ve always thought defense is the best part of any sport, especially soccer, so that’s where I wanted to be. I found my place where I was comfortable in the net and I’ve stayed there ever since.”

Since making his varsity debut last season, Baker has been dominant. He recorded nine shutouts last season and allowed just 13 goals in 18 games.

This year, he has seven shutouts for the Eagles (7-3-1).

“Last year, I was coming into something brand new with varsity and I had to adapt to that level of play,” Baker said. “We had seniors on our defense who helped me a lot. This year, I’m more confident and comfortable.”

With some younger players on Sandburg’s backline this season, Baker has pushed himself to become more of a vocal leader.

“(Senior defender) Charlie Gainer and I are trying to be the ones to control our defense and set us up to defend as a collective team,” he said. “I’m doing my best to coordinate everything that’s going on in the back. I know it’s important for me to do that this year, especially.”

Baker also plays volleyball for the Eagles, which helps him immensely on the soccer field.

“All the jump training and leg workouts for volleyball definitely correlates to being able to get up and grab balls out of the air,” he said.

Sandburg coach Desi Vuillaume has seen Baker continue to improve and knows he has a trustworthy player in the net.

“He’s so athletic,” Vuillaume said. “Being a multi-sport athlete definitely helps, especially at the goalkeeper position. He’s very coachable. (Assistant coach Scott Wilkins) works with him all the time, and he absorbs that information. His confidence is growing a lot as this season goes on.”

Vikings rising: After winning just one game last season, Homewood-Flossmoor (5-3-2) has engineered one of the area’s biggest turnarounds under coach Charlie Ward. He took over the boys program this season after previously coaching H-F’s girls.

“We’ve established a culture of toughness, hard work and believing in ourselves,” Ward said. “The kids are gaining confidence and they know how to win now.”

With a 2-0 win Saturday over Lincoln-Way Central, the Vikings advanced to the championship game of the PepsiCo Showdown’s National Guard Bracket.

H-F will play Parker in Sunday’s championship game.

“The guys think it’s cool,” Ward said. “We know it’s the lowest bracket, but we had to beat some solid teams to get there. The win over Lincoln-Way Central was great for us.”

Porter power: Lockport (8-1) has scored 27 goals in its last four games and 43 on the season.

The Porters dominated out-of-state competition at the Baraboo Invitational in Wisconsin on Sept. 7-8, winning both of their games 8-1. Lockport followed up with a 4-1 win over Bradley-Bourbonnais and a 7-1 victory over Andrew.